Acne and Rosacea Treatment

Acne is a very distressing skin condition, as it often affects your face and can cause permanent scarring. Acne occurs when your pores/follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells; it usually occurs on the face, neck, chest, upper back and shoulders. It can appear as whiteheads, blackheads and hard painful lumps in severe cases. Acne is most common among teenagers, but it can affect at any age.

In contrast, Rosacea is a common inflammatory skin disease, largely identified by redness and swelling of the central face. Rosacea can resemble acne or flushing and it can be aggravated by heat, alcohol, emotions and spicy foods.

We take a holistic approach to acne and rosacea management, addressing diet, hormone imbalance, previous treatment and skin care. It is important to rule out underlying medical conditions that can cause acne, particularly if you have had acne for many years or are an adult.

Treatment is based on a therapeutic ladder, starting with simple treatments applied to the skin and progressing to oral treatments if needed (including antibiotic or hormonal tablets). For severe non-responsive acne, a course of isotretinoin (Roaccutane) would be considered; this medication can provide long lasting clearance of acne for many years following treatment.

For acne patients who prefer to avoid oral medications, light-based treatments such as LED can be considered, in addition to acne treatment creams or skin peels. Laser and light-based treatments can help to reduce the appearance of blood vessels and the redness component of rosacea.

We recommend calling our reception staff to book for an appointment, if you wish to improve your acne or rosacea.